Old Buckenham latest thoughts

 Parish Council February minutes

These notes have been written by the blog editor from the draft minutes and so may contain information that is changed at a later date.

Old Buckenham Parish council met on Thursday 6 February in the Village Hall. Those attending were Councillors Naomi Bailey (Chair), Doug Irons (Vice Chair), Stan Burton, Lesley Evison, Steve Gowers and Pete Twissell. Also attending were Megan Elvin (Clerk) and ten members of the public. Apologies for absence had been received from David Taylor.

The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 9 January 2025 were approved (4 in favour).

Financial matters. Payments for approval totalled £2828.74. These included £254.95 to Donna Oakley, £49.96 to Rachel Noyes and £22.50 to the Methodist Church for room hire. Also £120.49 for the community car drivers, £960 to Broadland Trees and £88 to Brett Hibbert.

Quarterly finance audit. This was completed by Pete Twissell, Naomi Bailey and Doug Irons.

Councillors’ reports. Steve Askew that Cake Street ditch work has now been done. The Gypsy Lane manhole cover has been completed. Signs near war memorial have been requested for repair. Hedges on Hargham Road should be organised for cutting but not yet been done. Pot holes have been reported today around the Green. Drainage investigation work has commenced and is undergoing.

The suggestion was made that 30mph should be extended on Fen Street. Highways are happy to do a speed assessment. If they do the assessment and they do agree that this needs to be extended it would need to be funded by the parish or Steve Askew’s council member’s budget. Another question put to Steve Askew was whether we can we ask the highways for a weight limit to be put Fen Street.

Naomi Bailey had discussed parking issues with the schools. There was a positive outcome from meeting with Paul Beale, Headmaster of Old Buckenham High School. Land near the school reception is to be tarmacked to create more parking for staff which will, in turn, allow more parking for parents nearby.

She had been in correspondence with Luke at Highways for the Green pot holes and also with others regarding flooding of Westview Farm. The burst water main at Manor Corner has been fixed. However the pond is still full and Anglian Water did not think to pump this out. Hopefully this will naturally drain with the better weather forecasted. Some sandbags had been removed from Ottomer Pond for a member of public to prevent flooding to his house.

Some emergency tree work had been done to remove some branches on the Green. David Trammer has been contacted concerning payment for Two Wheel Tuesday in 2024. Will know in the next couple of days if the payments have come through.

Doug Irons said that David Tranmer wanted to apply for use of the Green again. An application had now just been received. Soil has been placed on areas that require repair and these areas have been fenced off.

At the Saturday Surgery, the public were asking about maps of drainage. This was spoken of last year and a large map would be divided into sections. The previous Clerk was going to sort this in summer 2024 but never did so anything. Doug Irons will sort this for next parish council meeting. Need to find out which First Aid box would cover us and an email sent to NALC regarding this.

Stan Burton had obtained a quote for chipping up the branches and removing roots left on the Green. This will need to be done before the end of March and the quote was for £380 + VAT. A proposal to approve this was agreed (6 in favour).

Steve Gowers had been finding out about the steps opposite the Stud. Handrails have now been added and that’s all that can be done. We are able to send dashcam footage to the police, so we should be able to send pictures of lorries violating the 7.5 tonne on Hargham Road. Photos of the back of the lorry with number plate are needed. Volunteers for community Speedwatch sessions at the weekends are required. He has been emailing people individually for training on defibrillator training on Saturday mornings. He has put himself down for Playground inspection training with Community Action Norfolk. If you are a member the cost is £40 for the course, if not then £60. A proposal for him to attending the training was agreed (6 in favour).

Planning applications. (All planning applications are available for viewing on the Breckland District Council planning portal. Parish Councillors have been asked by the chairman to view the new applications in advance of the meeting)

New planning applications. 18 Oaklands. Demolition of existing conservatory and replace with side extension - certificate of lawfulness - proposed use (PL/2024/1107/CLOPUD). As this was an issue of lawfulness, no need to consider this.

Field adjacent Old Buckenham High School, Abbey Road. Proposed erection of a single storey stable block, grooming bay, hay barn and tack room to facilitate horse keeping (PL/2024/1194/FMIN). (note: error in Breckland’s published site location which reads Attleborough High School). No issues and proposal to support was approved (6 in favour).

To approve the following policies: Health and Safety and Maternity Leave. Proposals to support both policies were approved (6 in favour).

To vote for the preferred legal structure of NALC. This was approved.

Green Working Committee report. Lesley Evison, Stan Burton and Sally Honour walked around the Green. Various patches of brambles on the Green, particularly on Mill Lane, will be cleared as well as the self-seeding saplings under the trees. Certain areas of brambles will be left alone for nature reserve. Various other spots require clearing are the hedge at The Pound (Green area in front of Almshouses) as it is creeping further over to The Pound. After harvest the farmer will then be asked to trim this back. Walked around the pond outside the village shop – will clean this back and make it a nature area with the potential of adding a bench – there’s a three-year plan for this. By the bus area opposite The Gamekeeper there are more brambles which need clearing.

The ditch that is by the school was originally understood to be the responsibility of Highways. However have now been corrected and that this is the parish council and needs clearing. Branches are getting close to the road near The Bake House and will be cleared by Stan Burton. A silver birch tree also needs cutting back and he will try and get this done by the next week.

Main topic of discussion was cutting of the Green. Intentions were cutting the full Green at the beginning of May. Instead of cutting the full Green back for the summer, to cut a 20metre strip around the outside of the Green and leaving the rest as a nature area. Then in Autumn to cut it all back again fully. The Pound will need to be cut three times a year. Will be getting a quote for this grass cutting.

Want to set up a “Friends of Old Buckenham Green” page/Facebook Group in the hopes to get volunteers with helping clear the Green.

Terms of Reference for Green Working Committee. Doug Irons will organise this.

Green maintenance. In the area outside cottages on Green, near Village Shop, there is erosion from the building work that has gone on. Stan Burton will look at the drain block. Posts and tape has been acquired to corner off the erosion as it is nothing to do with Highways. Water is running out of the potholes into the property. This will need to be filled but will not be a quick fix. The erosion is also on part of a private driveway, so part of the responsibility is not fully on the Parish Council – this will need to be looked into further.

Sunnyside Track. Mr and Mrs Ramsey have never claimed ownership to this piece of land and do not wish for ownership. This has always belonged to the Parish Council. There used to be an agreement with the previous owners of the property of a peppercorn rent to allow them use of the land opposite Sunnyside Cottage. It is unfair to set this up with Mr and Mrs Ramsey now after they have lived in the property for 6 years. Agreement is in place that the posts will stay where they are. Paperwork will be sorted before the next meeting. Thanks are given to the residents for footing the bill for the posts and for organising this with Highways with the support of the parish council. Please note that if anyone has a problem with the posts on Sunnyside Track, please come to the Chair of the parish council Naomi Bailey, with their complaints and not to the residents.

More posts will be going in on Reggie’s Way. The parish council is fully responsible for these posts. This will be put in during the schools' half term. Topsoil is needed for either side of the posts. Quotes for obtaining topsoil are being gathered, as well as requests on Facebook.

Speedwatch report. Criteria for setting up Speedwatch is more people for doing it. We currently have seven volunteers but we require more volunteers to come and help. The area has to be safe for the volunteers and also for the motorists. More SAM signs to be distributed to get further information. Norfolk Police will not authorise a mobile speed watch unless we have collected speed data to pass on. If we can get enough volunteers, then a speed watch could be actioned on Fen Street. This will need to be on the 30mph side as we cannot do this in a 60mph area. Steve Gowers is collecting data from the SAM signs and forwarding on to the police.

Review the allotments. The current situation is complicated. There are tenants without any agreements, agreements from others that are no longer with us. Started off with fifteen plots but now, due to flooding, are down to eleven workable plots. Six plots are actually being used at the moment of which three are of good upkeep. Down £235 due to lack of income, to cover rent, water and maintenance. Unused plots will need a skip to clear them out. There is rubbish around the site as well as problems with deer and rabbits. Netting has been erected but this has not been successful in keeping them out, solid fencing would be required. The land that the allotments are on is not good for agricultural growing. The parish council will have to consider if it is worth keeping the allotments. Potentially look to find another bit of land that is smaller. Or negotiate with the farmer to reduce the amount of land we rent. If the decision is to close, will need a consultation agreement for closing the allotment with the tenants. Three months’ notice is required for tenants surrendering a plot. Same period of notice is required for the parish council in terminating contract.

Churchyard update. With everything that had gone on last August the Cemetery has taken a back seat. A company (CDS Group) is the only company in England that specialises in checking whether a site could be suitable. Conversations are required with current farmers who are leasing the land that we are considering to use. Before anything can be done, a ground water assessment is required. Preliminary risk assessment, free of charge has been given.

The cost of full risk assessments will be £17,650. Just the Ground Water assessment will be £5,700. A parcel of land has been identified that may be suitable. Looking at £20,000 an acre to buy land from a farmer and would ideally need to have 1.5 acres. Naomi Bailey to contact them again. Could make money back from burial charges. On an acre plot, you could get around 1,000 graves. Between now and next meeting Naomi Bailey and Pete Twissell will get in touch with Stuart Barker and Steve Askew to go ahead with the first initial test.

Public participation. The next Parish Council 'Surgery' will be on Saturday 29 March at the Village Hall. A member of the public had a query on the drainage of Ottomer pond. The pipe for the pond can be traced but unable to take the lid off the chamber as footing of the wall remains above it. Now been given permission to dig down into the chamber from the other side of the wall to find the outlet from this chamber and to see where the overflow goes out. If the outlet is on private land then what can we do? Not able to comment until know what is on what land and what it was before. Doug Irons and Stan Burton will contact Norfolk County Council to have another survey.

Next agenda. Items to consider for next agenda should include decision on future of allotments, an update on the Solar Farm and the Weather Radar Tower, the Churchyard, training for Councillors, lease agreements, water pump and list of equipment and where it is stored and Trustee appointment.

The next Parish Council meeting will be on Thursday 6 March 2025 at Old Buckenham Village Hall starting at 7.30pm.

The Old Buckenham Bible

 

Restoration and history of the Old Buckenham Bible

An illustrated talk entitled "A Little Bundle of Times" will be given by Jamin Wilson on Saturday 26 April in All Saints Church, Old Buckenham, on the ‘Old Buckenham Bible’ and its conservation.  The talk will be followed by refreshments in the Old School Bookshop  and an opportunity to see the bible displayed alongside other rare and beautiful books restored by Mr Wilson.

This will be the only opportunity to see this beautiful church bible, in use in the church from its publication in 1701 through to the mid-19th century. Recently re-discovered in poor condition, it has been restored by Jamin Wilson and is now in his private collection.  His detailed research has uncovered some fascinating details about this edition of the bible and his dedicated restoration has brought this copy back to life.

There is no formal charge for entrance but donations (suggested £10 per person) towards refreshments costs and in support of All Saints Church are invited. To help with planning please email thegables_2000@yahoo.co.uk to reserve a place.

Old Buckenham visits the Broads

 Women' Institute report

Old Buckenham WI had an interesting talk from George Cooper on Thursday 23 January about the social history of the Broads. He is a volunteer at the Museum of the Broads and very enthusiastic about the history from when the Broads were created to the present day. They learnt about the life of boat people in wherries, the Norfolk Barrow, quanting and smuggling. A very enjoyable evening.

Traffic problems in Old Buckenham

 It takes a village…

This email came in for the February village newsletter during the recent difficulties of getting to Attleborough because of problems on the B1077. It is from a group of people living in Fen Street: You may know the saying “it takes a village to raise a child”? Well, we believe “it takes a village to raise concerns affecting the village”.

What used to be. Fen Street is a pretty, single track lane teaming with wildlife. The traffic is sporadically light making it the perfect circular village route for pedestrians, cyclists, dog walkers, horse riders and family walks. At the Hargham Road end it is more densely residential with a 30mph limit whilst at the Puddledock End it is more sparsely residential with an unrestricted speed limit.

Current chaos. However, with the current chaos of road closures and inappropriate diversions in the village, can you even recognise the above description? We are sure that, by now, you have also suffered the inconvenience and frustration of trying to get from one end of Fen Street to the other either on foot or in your car.

Negative impact. The negative impact in terms of traffic, environmental destruction and village cohesiveness has been shocking. There have been queues, frayed tempers and cross words. There has been obliteration of verges, trespassing in driveways, accidents and damage to cars. Worse, the emergency services have been severely restricted in getting to their destinations.

It’s not your fault. The “Road Closed” signage from Attleborough has been inadequate with no indication that the Hargham Road is the alternative route. Keir Highways have somehow managed to divert all forms of traffic off a two-lane B-road onto a single-track unclassified road with no passing places!

Effect on the village. It is obvious to all of us villagers that Fen Street is the width of one car; it is completely unsuitable for two-way traffic; it is completely unsuitable for HGVs; it has blind bends making it dangerous; it has an inappropriate speed limit enabling new or inconsiderate drivers to travel too fast for the conditions; it is structurally inadequate for any vehicle over 7.5 tonnes. Villagers know that Fen Street can never be deemed an appropriate diversion route.

Keeping the village a village. Many of us believe that we need to keep the country lanes in the village pedestrian-friendly. That we need to keep verges for wildlife and pedestrians. That we need to have safe routes for our families to walk around and keep healthy. That we need to have places to walk without HGVs and speeding cars. Let’s come together as a village to ask the authorities to sit up and take note because “it takes a village to raise concerns affecting the village”.

It only takes two minutes. We would like to keep our village safe for families.

If you would like to comment that the speed limit in Fen Street is inappropriate; or that HGVs should take alternative routes; or that Fen Street needs to be kept as a safe walking route; or that Fen Street should not be used as a diversion route (or all the above!), then please spend just two minutes emailing all or any of the following (it is easiest to write one email and copy it to all those listed below!) and let's keep our village a village...together.

Norfolk Highways – highways@norfolk.gov.uk

Norfolk Council – luke.denny@norfolk.gov.uk

Breckland Council – planning@breckland.gov.uk

Stephen Askew – Stephen.askew.cllr@norfolk.gov.uk

Parish Council – oldbuckenhampc@live.co.uk

Old Buckenham Parish Council minutes

 Latest discussions

These notes by the blog editor have been written from the draft minutes and so may contain information that is changed at a later date.

Old Buckenham Parish Council met on Thursday 9 January 2025 at Old Buckenham Methodist Church. Present were councillors Doug Irons (Vice Chair), Stan Burton, Lesley Evison, Steve Gowers, David Taylor and P Twissell. Apologies for non-attendance had been received from  Naomi Bailey and Donna Oakley. Also attending were Rachel Noyes (Clerk) and five members of the public. The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 5 December 2024 were approved (4 in favour, 2 abstain).

Financial matters. Payments for a total of £2776.47 were approved (6 in favour). These included £250 to Donna Oakley (RFO), £153.82 to Rachel Noyes as reimbursement for dog bin costs, £148.80 to Online Playgrounds, £264 to Biltons Limited and Stan Burton as reimbursement for digger hire. Payments to the community car drivers totalled £119.10.

VAT reclaim received for 2023/24 financial year was £1474.33.

An invoice had recently been received from Breckland that had not been paid last year. This is for the cutting of grass around St Andrews Close and emptying of dog bin on Harlingwood Lane. A proposal to pay from the remaining balance held by Breckland was approved (6 in favour).

Green Budget. This has been kept the same at £2000 on the draft Precept. Lesley Evison enquired whether we would need more for the maintenance for Prince Harry’s Wood in addition to the Green. Doug Irons explained that once Terms of Reference are completed, then full budget can be planned for the Green. If there is no evidence to need to increase the budget, then we can’t really change it for now. Will review spending at the end of the year.

Precept. The key points included the suggestion as whether the Training budget suggested to be halved to £500. Councillors felt it should stay at £1000 as new Clerk will need training and several councillors need to update their training. There was a query over what the Footpath allocation is for. Would mean a reduction in Precept by £1,067. Proposals to agree the spending breakdown and the  draft Precept were approved (6 in favour).

Councillors’ reports. Lesley Evison hasn’t managed to get to the allotment or look at feasibility. Some allotment holders are not happy as there is poor quality land, break-ins and wildlife damaging crops. She will liaise with Donna Oakley to analyse spending and whether they are economically viable. Rachel Noyes to investigate original agreement with landowner. There will be a Green Working Committee meeting on Monday 13 January.   

Stan Burton reported that the Christmas tree was down and he will collect the lights. Hasn’t had a chance to trim hedging from around 40mph sign but will do so as soon as possible, weather permitting and when safe to do so on the road.

Steve Gowers had had a meeting with Highways Engineer about speeding on Cake Street. Very positive and looking at possible solutions. It could be very expensive to change speed limits. Engineer will come back with some options in the Spring. Meanwhile he will look at funding and gather opinions from Cake Street residents opinions. Looking at new locations to place the mobile SAM sign. Currently have three so this would allow a collection of data to then argue the need for Speedwatch to be able to use those locations. Would require purchasing new bracket to attach SAM sign to poles, which would be approximately £50 and he will collect quotes for purchase. Steve Gowers has got repair kit for hole by playground. Waiting for dry weather to complete repair. He has consulted with the company that provided the repair kit for advice about playground surfaces and they are going to suggest improvements and quotations. There may also be funding available. Will complete research and keep the Council updated.

Rachel Noyes had received thanks from all the village groups that applied for Precept grants. The dog bin for the Recreation Ground purchased and she will arrange installation this month. Has spoken to the Bank about new account. The mandate that was signed after last meeting and posted has not been received. They believe it has been lost in the post. They will resend us another mandate. She will collect signatures s soon as possible and can take to branch to avoid same issue again. This will be the third copy they have sent out as first copy was never received as also lost in the post. The advertisement for a new Clerk was put up in December. Have completed interviews and looking at possible option of Rachel Noyes staying for a short while as a mentor to help in transition of workload and information.

Doug Irons had been approached by parishioner about the area of land off Sunnyside Track that has an area of parking for two cars, which some residents believe they own. However the Parish Council believe it is still part of the Green. Stan Burton explained that the Government website says that a claim of ownership for parking cannot be made on town and village Greens. Posts have currently been placed around it by residents. However they would need to be removed from around it and placed adjacent to the track.

Thanks to Steve Gowers, Steve Askew and Highways for the installation of handrails on steps opposite Stud. However the Parish Council were led to believe that the steps themselves need changing due to differing heights so Steve Gowers is to contact Highways for clarification.

Planning applications received before the meeting. (All planning applications are available for viewing on the Breckland District Council planning portal – www.breckland.gov.uk/article/2933/Search-Planning-Applications  Parish Councillors have been asked by the chairman to view the new applications in advance of the meeting)

New planning applications. Three Ways, Cake Street. A proposal for single storey front, side and rear extensions, increase in roof height to create a first floor and new double garage to the front of the dwelling (PL/2024/0776/HOU). Cannot identify any areas to object to. A resident raised the issue of whether a car can turn around and exit the property on a dangerous bend. No objections from Highways. A proposal to support was approved (6 in favour).

Caldcleugh, Cake Street. Proposed two storey side extension (PL/2024/0781/HOU). No areas for objection and proposal to support was approved (6 in favour).

Posts on the Green. Residents on the top of Sunnyside Track have paid for posts to be installed to prevent parking on the Green. Reg’s Way (track from Abbey Road that is perpendicular to Sunnyside track) has become very busy with parking and is causing severe erosion of the Green. Resident has collected quotes for placing posts along both sides of Reg’s Way and bottom of Sunnyside Track in one order, but would be paid separately. Permission has been received from Highways and consulted about requirements and specifications. The Parish Council would pay for those for Reg’s Way, residents for those at bottom of Sunnyside Track. Resident explained that they would still need to allow a certain amount of traffic to pass through, otherwise it will push the problem elsewhere. Best quote is for £1,920.96. Doug Irons highlighted that all posts will need to have two reflectors per post. The quotes received for posts are 100mm instead of 150mm (size of those already installed). Current posts are also taller than the ones proposed (due to ground conditions). Current ones can be shortened if needs be. A proposal to agree the potential purchase, provided the Green Working Committee approve the installation and location, was approved (6 in favour).

The traffic and parking has been monitored in depth. Teachers parking out on Abbey Road and the Green has reduced as they have given an area of land. This is now boggy with wet weather but it will be tarmacked in the summer This still might not be enough space. Councillors felt that the High School need extra pressure to provide enough spaces for all the staff. Steve Gowers highlighted that it is the school that needs to make more effort to manage the parking/turning of cars.

Documents for approval. (i) OBPC complaints procedure Rev A, (ii) OBPC Grievance Policy rev A, (iii) OBPC Disciplinary Policy rev A, (iv) OBPC Antibullying & Harassment-policy-rev A and (v) OBPC Antibullying & Harassment-Practical Guide notes-rev A. Proposal to approve all above documents was approved (6 in favour). Doug Irons had also sent out an answer to the Freedom of Information Request for councillors to read. All Councillors were happy for the reply to be sent with no changes suggested.

Annual Parish Meeting date. The proposed date was Saturday 7 June starting at 10:30am.

CPR and defibrillator training. Approximately 30 people have shown interest so far. The charity that runs the sessions can do a maximum of 20 people per session so would require two separate sessions. Steve Gowers to organise a date and arrange bookings. Anyone still wanting to express interest to contact him.

Lease Agreement for the Green. Documents for revised versions of the Lease Agreements were sent out. No changes suggested by Councillors. A proposal to agree the revised Lease Agreements for the Green was approved (6 in favour). Doug Irons to liaise with David Tranmer to complete applications for Two Wheel Tuesday and benches. Concern was raised about the fact that repairs have not been made to the Green, despite reminders and attempted help from Pete Twissell. Invoices for TWT events, benches and additional events in 2024 were sent out at the end of November and should have been paid within 14 days but have still not been paid. The Clerk to contact David Tranmer to remind about overdue payments and repairing of the Green.

Electricity payment for Christmas Tree lights. Cost for electricity measured and calculated at £38.49. Proposal to approve payment was approved (6 in favour) and an additional cheque approved for payment of £38.49. Thanks to Harrow and Ferne for providing the electricity for the tree and helping with the organisation of the switch on.

Pipe for West View Farm. At the last meeting, Doug Irons and Stan Burton agreed to investigate where the pipe goes from concrete slab outside West View Farm. Have now got a working endoscope so will complete investigation this month. Resident explained that an engineer from lead Local Flood Authority has stated that if there is proof that the pipe goes in to a (now filled in) ditch outside West View Farm, then it may need to have ditch reinstated.

Public participation. A resident questioned the rules around taking a picture of a lorry and its driver, as there are frequently lorries on Hargham Road that exceed weight limit. Clerk to research the rules. Thanks were also give to Stan Burton for all his work on the Ottomer pond and the overflow pipe.

Items for next agenda. These would include the site of a possible future graveyard.

The next Parish Council meeting will be on Thursday 6 February at Old Buckenham Village Hall starting at 7.30pm.

 

They are building in Old Buckenham

 Perhaps it's Spring

The rookery along Cake Street is very noisy at the moment. Rooks are pairing up and thinking about the rebuilding of their nests.

Old Buckenham Parish Council Clerk

 

Would you like a job?

 Old Buckenham Parish Council is seeking an individual to assume the position of Parish Clerk.

The position involves working 20 hours per month. The role is home based with attendance at Parish Council meetings, which are held on the first Thursday of each month. Duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Coordinating and clerking council meetings, drafting agendas and recording minutes.
• Ensuring that any decisions from the councillors are actioned.
• Maintaining and updating records and documents.
• Handling all incoming correspondence, including telephone calls, letters and e-mails.
• Acting as the Data Protection Officer for the Parish Council.
• Monitoring planning applications and distributing them to the Council.
• Liaising with the District and County Councillors.
• Providing advisory support to the Council.
• Ensuring that the Council’s Policies are up to date.

Further information about the Village and the Parish Council can be found at our website: www.oldbuckpc.co.uk

The successful candidate should have good IT and organisational skills. Salary will be paid in line with NALC guidelines and according to experience.

To apply, please e-mail your CV to clerk@oldbuckpc.co.uk. There is no closing date for applications.